An unexpected discovery of two ancient arches, potentially of medieval origin, has occurred during urban development works in Ontinyent's Poble Nou neighborhood. These elements appeared during the partial demolition of two municipal properties located in the Raval de Sant Miquel, an intervention aimed at preserving the heritage components of the buildings.
The arches are part of a previously unknown vaulted space, and the existence of a parallel structure is not ruled out. Given the potential significance of the discovery, municipal technical services have initiated procedures with the Generalitat Valenciana, the competent administration for heritage matters, to further study the find.
“"This discovery represents a new opportunity to better understand the historical evolution of the municipality. Analyses of the materials and construction system will allow us to approximate the dating of the arches and determine whether it is a significant historical element or a more recent structure."
The studies will be carried out with the authorization of the Conselleria de Cultura (Department of Culture), which will assess both the age and architectural characteristics of the found elements. This process will be key to deciding the future use of the space and its integration into the ongoing urban project.
The intervention is part of the municipal plan for the regeneration of the Poble Nou neighborhood, an area with great historical value. One of the affected buildings, located in the placeta de l'Escurà, preserves part of the facade of an old inn known as Hostal del Racó, with a history dating back at least to the 18th century.
The City Council frames this discovery within a broader commitment to the recovery of local heritage. In recent years, millions of euros have been allocated to projects such as the restoration of the North Wall and the recovery of spaces linked to the South Wall, where another archaeological find was documented in 2025.
